Oh YES!!!!

I am almost done with this semester!! 

Just finished up my last tests/exams in health--

Gave my final presentation in history 2--
which counted as our FINAL EXAM-whoo hoo!

Have a few more things in science to finish,
including 3 labs---pray for me, please--

I am soooo behind in music though!  I hate that!
I thought I'd really love this music class, but I don't. 
It's not what I'd thought it would be.  I am so
disappointed with that class.  And I am really a
music person.


I have ended up really, thoroughly enjoying
---HISTORY---(yea, yea..too many whatevers in there lol)

I've even considered becoming a history major.

Already registered for next semester...not going to
take as many classes. Going to be adjusting to some new
surroundings...again.  Looking forward to it though.

Kids have school until the 16th of December. 
They're getting out for Christmas break until
January 4th, 2010!  They're love'n it!  I'm love'n it!
Gonna do some crafts and maybe some bake 'n make
'n take!  Oh yea! 


Ready for some FUN!! 

Thanksgiving has gone, Christmas is coming

What a blessed time we had for Thanksgiving!  Spending time with friends and enjoying this gorgeous weather.  It has been in the low 60's during the day and that has been just right for playing out of doors  with the children.

Christmas is just around the corner and we have so many plans ahead.  

More to come!

The Wisener Family

Curriculum for homeschool & college

Going back to college was one of the best decisions I've made.  Granted, it has been an adjustment for my family, but it has already been worth it for us.  

It's a good thing we love books as much as we do, because we sure are in up to our necks with them lately.  

These are the books I'm using for our youngest son 2/3 Gr 

• Reading: Pathway Readers w/workbooks 2nd gr
• Math:  Math-U-See Gamma-not pictured
• English:  Rod & Staff 2nd gr & Simply Grammar
  
• Spelling: Purposeful Design 3rd
• Science:  Apologia-Botany
• History:  Movements in Amer. Hist
• Art: The No-Nonsense Guide to Teaching Art
• Bible: Daily Assignments
• Pleasure Reading: Individual Living Books
• State Study: Simply Stated & Various book

 These are the books I'm using for our middle daughter-5th Gr

• Reading:  Rod & Staff 5
• English: Rod & Staff 5
• Math: Math-U-See Delta-not pictured
• Spelling: Purposeful Design 5
• Science: Apologia-Botany
• History: Movements In Amer. Hist
• Art: No-Nonsense...to Art
• Bible: Daily Assignments
• Pleasure Reading: Individual Books
• State Study: Simply Stated**Excellent Curr!!**

 These are the books I'm using for our middle son-6th Gr

 

• Reading:  Rod & Staff 5/6
• English: Rod & Staff 6
  
• Math: Math-U-See Epsilon-not pictured
• Spelling: Purposeful Design 6
  
• Science: Apologia-Botany
• History: Movements In Amer. Hist
• Art: No-Nonsense...to Art
• Bible: Daily Assignments
• Pleasure Reading: Individual Books
• State Study: Simply Stated**Excellent Curr!!**

These are not the extent of our book collection and we use far more than what is on this short and limited list.  I don't know what I'd do without a working library.  It's something that I keep adding to and even taking away as we go along year after year.  

 Of course, our college girl is taking several classes herself..

• An Invitation to Health
• Speech
• American Literature
• US History

12 credit hours plus she works a 45 hr / week job!  Many people don't have a job and she is thankful she can work at a great place(our local physicians' office) and have weekends off!  

Here's what Mom is doing as far as schooling...yes, I am in college too..

• An Invitation to Health
• US History
• Music Appreciation
• Physical Science
• 1 Lab for Science Class

13 credit hours.  I am thankful for the opportunity to continue my education at a college that believes in the family unit and is located right here in my community.  

Now, if we can just get my 'beloved' to start on the books, we'll all be going.  MMmmm...we'll have to see about that!   

Lesson plans

Here is the style of lesson plans I have been using for our school.  I found a book that has much to offer for what I was looking for and have used it ever since.  

My lesson plan book has:

*curriculum idea guide for k-5(I use it for extra ideas)

*year-at-a-glance calendar

*long-range monthly planner(very handy)

My favorite:

*flexible weekly calendar(I use this for daily lesson plans for each child and for each of their subjects)

*6 lines per day for their subjects(I put Art/History & State Study/Science together, since we don't usually do those every day)

*Bible verse at the top of each 2-page spread for the week

Filling in each child's name along with each of their subjects keeps me completely involved in what they are accomplishing.  I read over every lesson, test, and assignment they have for each day.  At first, this really took quite a while to do, but after doing it consistently I've been able to make out their lesson plans for the entire week in about 30-45 minutes (depending on what all I am assigning them)  

At the top, I've given them a Bible reading assignment along with their pleasure reading titles next to their names.  And each day of the week is labeled with the exact DATE of the month. 

It really makes for a smoother week!  Every day they are able to look at what is on their plan, grab their books, papers etc and go with it.  Hope this helps and have a great day!

Just finished our 7th week of school!

Well, here it is September 18 and we have finished our 7th week of school already.  I must say how excited I am about the children and what all they are accomplishing.  Every week I make out lesson plans that go from Monday(1st day of our week for school) through Friday(last day).  Each child has 9 subjects that need to have lessons or plans written out for each subject. They are all on different levels. 
In the past, I have written out lesson plans that never seemed to be followed on a regular basis.  This year it has been different.  They have all followed their plans and are meeting their goals for each week.  This is something that usually doesn't happen...I can't emphasize that enough!!  It hasn't ever happened before.  At least not with all of them in the same year...HA! So, I am very excited for them and even more thrilled that they are understanding the importance of meeting a goal.  If they're going to meet a goal, they must first understand they need to set a goal...this is part of what we are learning in school this year.  They like the feeling of having all their work done ON FRIDAY or even sometimes ON THURSDAY!!!  Yes, sometimes, they have finished all the weeks' work by Thursday and can have Friday to enjoy as they please.  What a reward for their hard work.  At such young ages too.  7, 9, 11.  No homework to hang over their heads. No reports to finish.  No formal reading that has to be done.  Now when they read over the weekend, it's because they choose to read. I like that!!! They choose to read because they WANT to.  It's not a pressure to do it.  


Anyway, I just wanted take a minute to update how our school year is coming along. Hope yours is moving smoothly and most of all, that you are having a blast with your kids.  It won't last long and soon they'll be driving.  Like mine are already saying, "Mom! I just have ___ years and I'll be in the YOUTH!" Or "Soon I can DRIVE you to the store!"  And I say to myself, "Oh boy! Can I just have a moment to relish in THIS season guys?"

Wow! Fourth Week of School!!

I am amazed at how fast these last four weeks have gone. We are finished with our fourth week of school and it has been going so wonderful. I have to say, this has really been one of the best beginnings we have ever had. I'm so excited!!

They all seem so eager with their subjects this year. Most days we are done before 1:00 in the afternoon. Some days though, we start a bit later and work until the later afternoon. Friday is test day and also any extra thing they may not have been able to do earlier in the week. We're a NO HOMEWORK school! They don't really do anything as 'homework'. The time frames I use for them are sufficient for each subject and each child. It helps with the frustration level on us all. I like it that way!

This year will be different than any other year though...I have started school MYSELF! Yea!! I am back in college and working to finish my degree. I am taking a full load and trying to get my schedule set as well as getting the children into theirs. It's another one of those 'beauties' of HOMESCHOOLING. I am lovin' it! A-N-D it IS a lot right now, but I know it will only be for a few months. It's only for a little while...temporary. If I keep that in mind it's easier for me to keep the right perspective. One day, one week, one month...at a time. My children are so happy for me that I get to go back to college...they say they are 'proud' of their Mommy. I want to do good so they will see it's NEVER-EVER too late to return to school and that you are not ever too old to learn or keep learning along the way.

Yayyee! First Day of School!

It is true! Today was our first day of school and we are so glad to have started back. Finishing up the organization of everything related to school and then briefly going over some important topics for this year. It only took a few hours and then we were finished, but the best thing is that we started. Whew! I'm so glad.

We ended our day with a sweet treat from our garden. A big, fat, juicy watermelon that tasted so wonderful for a hot day. It was just right. Now, we're going outside to check on the horses, pups, kitties, ducks, chickens and the goat. They're so funny. When we come outside, they come running up (well, not the horses...ha) and seem so happy to see us. I am constantly saying, "DOWN! DOWN!" and holding my hand out, saying, "STAY DOWN!" I think the pups are getting better.

Great 1st day! And looking forward to the new school year!